The best parks and gardens

Stop and smell the roses

Summer Holidays are the perfect excuse to slow down and savour the outdoors. And what better way to embrace a gentler pace than by exploring some of the UK’s most beautiful green spaces? Here’s our pick of top-rated spots to help you relax and recharge over the long weekend and beyond.

All the gardens listed here are assessed by VisitEngland for the quality of the experience provided.

Please note that for some of these destinations, prebooking may be required.

Beth Chatto Gardens, Essex

For more than 50 years, Beth Chatto worked at transforming once barren wasteland into a series of stunning, thoughtfully designed gardens. Since her passing in 2018, her dedicated team has continued to nurture her vision. Today, visitors can wander through an inspiring landscape filled with unusual plants, all arranged with elegance and a deep understanding of natural harmony.

Myddelton House Gardens, Greater London

The life's work of Edward Augustus Bowles, set across eight acres, Myddelton House Gardens offer a rich mix of horticulture and history. Highlights include elegant glasshouses, a productive kitchen garden, a tranquil rock garden and several national plant collections. Among its more curious features is the intriguingly named ‘Lunatic Asylum’, alongside a scattering of historical artefacts throughout the grounds. Keep an eye out for the old Enfield Market Cross and a striking pair of 300-year-old, life-size lead ostriches.

Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire

Just seven miles from Oxford city centre, Waterperry Gardens span eight acres of beautifully maintained ornamental grounds. Visitors can explore a spectacular 200-foot herbaceous border, alongside a formal knot garden, fragrant rose garden, tranquil water lily canal and an alpine garden. A peaceful riverside walk adds to the charm, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely day out. Beyond the gardens, there’s also a plant centre, garden shop, gift barn and a gallery showcasing work by British artists.

Paradise Park, East Sussex

Looking for a family-friendly day out? Paradise Park could be just the ticket. From the tranquil beauty of the Paradise, Caribbean and Oriental Gardens to the immersive Planthouses, there’s plenty to explore at every turn. Younger visitors will love the Sussex History Trail and Dinosaur Safari, adding a sense of adventure to the experience. 

Birkenhead Park, Liverpool

Since opening in 1847, Birkenhead Park has offered a cherished green escape from the bustle of city life. Widely regarded as a pioneer in the development of public parks worldwide, these days it is home to a number of listed buildings and historic structures, and is recognised as a designated conservation area—making it as culturally significant as it is relaxing to explore.

Dalby Forest Park, North Yorkshire

Framed by glacial valleys to the south and an upland plateau to the north, Dalby Forest offers an abundance of breathtaking scenery to explore on foot or by bike. And if your visit stretches into the evening, don’t forget to look up—the forest is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, making it a fantastic spot for stargazing.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

A paradise in every season, Kew Gardens invites visitors to lose themselves among magnificent glasshouses and discover plant life from some of the world’s most extreme environments. Expansive open spaces, stunning vistas, historic listed buildings and abundant wildlife all contribute to its unique atmosphere. Beyond its beauty, Kew is internationally renowned for its work in botanical and horticultural science, and is also home to three galleries dedicated to botanical art.

The Gardens at Wynyard Hall, County Durham

One of the North East’s leading visitor attractions, The Gardens at Wynyard Hall feature a stunning walled garden, home to more than 3,000 roses alongside a vibrant mix of perennials. Meandering paths and tranquil water features create a space rich in colour and fragrance, perfect for a leisurely wander. Beyond the formal gardens, the Woodland Walk offers a magical setting for both children and adults to explore.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

On 16 February 1990, the Lost Gardens of Heligan were rediscovered, hidden beneath decades of overgrowth and neglect. Today, they stand as one of the UK’s most loved and romantic garden destinations, celebrated as much for their beauty and sense of mystery as for the groundbreaking restoration project behind them—the largest of its kind in Europe.